Page 161 - Anthology

Veterans Wall of Honor
American Legion Post 34

The Anderson County Veterans Wall of Honor was dedicated on Sunday, November 6, 2005. The wall
recognizes all Anderson County veterans from WWI, to present. The Wall includes the names of more
than 1,800 veterans born in the county, previous residents and residents currently living in the county.

Bobby was District Commander for several years and traveled many nights to other Legion posts for their
meetings. He was asked to help get a Post back on track which required him to meet with a couple in
that town every day for a week. They stood on the street recruiting veterans for the Legion. That is
where Bobby saw a Veterans Wall of Honor and got the idea for our Legion Post to build a wall. He took
me to see this wall before he asked to build ours. He said: “If that small town can have this wall, so can
we.”

When Bobby was elected Commander of the Legion Post 34, one of the first things he asked the Post to
do was to allow him to build a Veteran’s Wall of Honor on Legion grounds. That request was granted and
together we started raising money. I went through the Chamber of Commerce membership book and
started writing letters stating our plans and asking for donations. The plan was that anyone who donated
$200 or more would be permanently recognized at the Wall, but that any donation would be greatly
appreciated. Many businesses and individuals donated $200 or more, and some donated less.

We had a contractor donate his and his employee’s time. We had an electrician that donated everything,
and a contractor asked a concrete company to donate concrete and they did. No veteran or veteran’s
family has ever been asked to pay a dime to have their name placed on the Wall, however some have
given donations.

Each year donations are taken at the Lawrenceburg Fair and Horse Show. If funds run low, I run an
article in the local newspaper requesting donations. A local church has been very generous by donating
for several years.

“Founded in 1919, The American Legion Auxiliary has nearly 1 million members from all walks of life. The
Auxiliary administers hundreds of volunteer programs, gives tens of thousands of hours to its
communities and to veterans, and raises millions of dollars to support its own programs, as well as other
worthwhile charities familiar to Americans. It is all accomplished with volunteers.

While originally organized to assist The American Legion, the Auxiliary has achieved its own unique
identity while working side-by-side with the veterans who belong to The American Legion. Like the
Legion, the Auxiliary’s interests have broadened to encompass the entire community.